Liverpool

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mohamed Salah's season of turmoil took a turn for the better in the most comfortable and untroubled game Liverpool have had this season.

The loss at Bournemouth placed Arne Slot and his players under severe scrutiny once more in what has become a dismal defence of their Premier League title.

The Champions League has, however, been a happier hunting ground as Liverpool followed their 3-0 win in Marseille by ruthlessly dismissing Qarabag.

And for Salah it was a night when he again felt the affection of the Liverpool fans, who worship him for his stellar contributions to their recent successes.

He had not scored in his previous eight appearances for Liverpool, and how he needed a goal after tumultuous events that have surrounded him, especially his Elland Road outburst when he claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and Slot by being left out.

And his joy was clear after scoring, turning to the Kop with arms outstretched before tapping the badge on his Liverpool shirt.

Slot enjoyed that moment - and plenty of others - as Liverpool made sure early on there would be no shocks or mistakes by setting up the victory with two early goals.

Liverpool's win does not answer many of the questions that still surround Slot after so many poor performances, but this win, and the place in the last 16 that goes with it, will not do self-confidence or self-belief any harm - and the Dutch head coach will welcome that.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Arne Slot has made two changes to the Liverpool side that won 3-0 away at Marseille.

Milos Kerkez and Joe Gomez miss out while Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo come in.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha

Qarabag XI: Kochalski, Cafarquliyev, Medina, Mustafazada, Silva, Jankovic, Bicalho, Zoubir, Montiel, Andrade, Duran

Subs: Mmaee, Kouakou, Akhundzada, Addai, Bolt, Kashchuk, Qurbanli, Bayramov, A. Huseynov, B. Huseynov, Ramazanov, Buntic

There are 18 games in the Champions League on Wednesday as the league phase reaches its climax and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Ajax v Olympiacos

• Arsenal v Kairat Almaty

• Athletic Club v Sporting

• Atletico Madrid v Bodo/Glimt

• Barcelona v Copenhagen

• Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal

• Benfica v Real Madrid

• Borussia Dortmund v Inter Milan

• Club Brugge v Marseille

• Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham

• Liverpool v Qarabag

• Manchester City v Galatasaray - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Monaco v Juventus

• Napoli v Chelsea- listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• PSV Eindhoven v Bayern Munich

• Pafos v Slavia Prague

• Paris St-Germain v Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Union Saint-Gilloise v Atalanta

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Napoli v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play PSG v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool fan Dan Clubbe believes that any result - regardless of the competition - can have an effect on manager Arne Slot's future at the club.

Slot has been in the firing line from fans over some of his side's recent performances in all competitions.

Liverpool have lost seven games so far in this Premier League season with Saturday's 3-2 loss at Bournemouth being their latest defeat.

Clubbe said on BBC 5 Live Breakfast: "He [Arne Slot] is under immense pressure and - certainly amongst the fanbase - the recent departure of Real Madrid's manager Xabi Alonso has only intensified that.

"It has also ramped up the scrutiny on Slot and every word he says is analysed in press conferences now."

Clubbe added: "I do think now every result in every competition is hugely important, because if we do eventually fall out of the Champions League then that would be a huge red cross against his name."

Liverpool have had better form in the Champions League than the Premier League - sitting fourth in the 36-team table.

The fan said: "It feels like our Champions League form is holding firm compared to domestically and it's nights like tonight that have given us respite in many ways.

"We are just trying to navigate our way through a disappointing spell and it probably goes further back that that."

Liverpool play Qarabag tonight in their final Champions League league phase match

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Victory at Anfield on Wednesday would not only put Liverpool in the last 16 but ensure they almost certainly end the league phase in third or fourth spot – crucially, that earns them a second leg at home for the next round and any quarter-final.

A draw may well be enough to stay in the top eight, though it would mean eight teams could overtake them (only one of Paris St-Germain and Newcastle can do so as they play each other). The Reds can afford to drop four places - however, their goal difference is the joint worst in the top eight and leaves them vulnerable.

Lose and Arne Slot's side will be relying on favourable results in at least six of the 10 fixtures involving clubs who can catch them. If Liverpool drop into the play-offs they will at least have home advantage in the second leg by virtue of being seeded for finishing in the top 16.

Did you know?

• This will be the first meeting between the two sides in European competition

• Qarabag lost all seven of their games against English teams in European competition before a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

Image source, Getty Images

Key Qarabag players - Camilo Duran

The Colombian forward has four goals and an assist in the Champions League. He grabbed a goal and assist in the team's historic win at Benfica. He bagged two in the Eintracht Frankfurt victory that kept qualification hopes alive.

Duran also scored a brilliant chip in the 4-2 defeat to Ajax, lobbing goalkeeper Vítezslav Jaros who is on loan from Liverpool.

Qarabag squad summary

Qarabag made 11 changes at the weekend and lost 2-0 to Kapaz. They are now four points off leaders Sabah in the league. Defender Badavi Guseynov and midfielder Kady Borges are expected to be the only absentees.

Left-back Toral Bayramov has scored eight goals in all competitions this season. Only forward Leandro Andrade (9) has more.

Liverpool have been "consistent" in not being "very good", says The Observer's Rory Smith.

"In the league they have not been convincing," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

Smith thinks the Reds' problems are coming from an inability to control games and create, which creates pressure situations late on in fixtures.

"They are not creating anything," Smith adds. "Alan Shearer is right, they are soft at the back. There's just no control, no shape, no sense of they know how to win matches anymore."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Qarabag at Anfield (20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot confirmed Joe Gomez will miss the game through injury but he expects the England defender to be back in a "relatively short amount of time".

• Ibrahima Konate will also miss the match as he continues to grieve the loss of his father: "Of course I spoke to him. If you know why he's not here, we know he's having a hard time. I am hoping and expecting to have him back soon but not for tomorrow evening."

• On Andy Robertson, amid links with a move away, Slot said: "Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening. He will be part of the team and nothing is happening on this side. It's hard to say anything definite in this world we are in but I expect him to stay."

• Slot was asked about the pressure after Saturdays defeat by Bournemouth: "It is going to be really difficult to quiet outside noise with the position we are in in the league. It's impossible to shut down the noise at a club like this if you are not competing for the league."

• He says his team must improve "in both boxes", adding: "In between the boxes we are a very, very good team. Taking it from promising positions to chances and being clinical to finish them off we have to improve. In the other box, other teams arrive there three, four times a game. Too many times when they arrive it leads to chances and sometimes goals. There is an unbalance between us and other teams."

• However, he still believes his side can win silverware this season: "If we can improve in both boxes we can do very special things season. If we can improve in one it will be an acceptable season. If we can't improve on either there will be a lot of noise. If we can improve in both boxes I think we can win something this season."

• Slot said he will have to play a makeshift defence: "For sure at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back. I can only play a midfielder as there are no centre-backs available apart from Virgil [Van Dijk]."

• He added that he will consider playing Dominik Szobozslai at right-back.

• On managing injuries: "I have to adapt with the system or players in different positions. This doesn't help with the narrative, I am completely aware of that. It is a difficult balance. Before people say I don't listen to medical staff, I am listening but sometimes I make my own decisions. I speak to my players, I know how they feel and if they are ready, I take that all into account. If you don't know the information, it is easy to criticise."

Follow all of Thursday's European news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have offered greater detail on why some fans are experiencing frustrating queues outside Anfield.

BBC Sport recently reported fan frustrations after delays to getting inside Anfield caused by a need for supporters to be searched by stewards.

Following the Manchester Arena Attack in May 2017, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, requires venues with a capacity of 200 or more to have a plan in place in case of an attack on their premises.

Liverpool football club have released a statement, external on the safety searches, detailing how the new law has prompted changes.

The club said queues outside Anfield led to 92% of fans being inside the ground for the kick-off against Burnley, though this figure reached 99.45% when the Reds faced Leeds.

In order to improve matters, a new security system will be in place for the home-tie in the Champions League match against Qarabag on Wednesday night (20:00 GMT kick-off).

The clubs said: "Following the arrival of both team coaches, access to the Main Stand podium will be restricted to those using the entrances on the podium, with designated stairways allocated for different turnstiles.

"Fans making their way to T turnstiles will only be able to enter the podium steps at the Anfield Road end, next to S turnstiles. Supporters entering via V turnstiles will only be able to access the podium steps by Paisley Square, next to W turnstiles. And those fans entering through the Main Stand reception will only be able to access via the central podium steps, situated on 97 Avenue.

"The aim of this change is simple; to keep everyone who attends Anfield as safe as possible.

"If everyone tweaks their matchday routine and arrives at turnstiles 10 minutes earlier than they did before this change was introduced, then waiting times will be reduced and supporters will gain entry quicker."

Watch The Observer's Rory Smith discuss the current challenges Liverpool are facing, and where the blame lies for their struggles this season.

"There will be a lot of criticism of Slot, I think his job has to be under scrutiny," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club

"But, it's worth making the point that Liverpool don't have a manager, they have a head coach. They have people in charge of recruitment who have left Slot with a squad that is very clearly unbalanced.

"They should be under scrutiny too. Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves have rejected a £6.9m offer from Roma for defender David Moller Wolfe.

It was instantly dismissed by the Molineux club on Monday afternoon and not taken as a serious offer.

It is unlikely the 23-year-old would be allowed to leave as Wolves would need a replacement before the 2 February deadline.

The left-back only joined Wolves from AZ Alkmaar in the summer for £10m and has made 16 appearances for for the club, who are bottom of the Premier League.

Should Roma find a replacement it would allow Liverpool loanee Kostas Tsimikas to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

Liverpool had agreed a deal in principle of around £5m with Tottenham for the sale of Andy Robertson, but it was dependent on the Reds being able to recall left-back Tsimikas from Roma, which they have not been able to do so far.

Wolves have also turned down a £33m offer, with £6m add-ons, from Leeds for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

They are open to refreshing the squad before a likely relegation to the Championship with Marshall Munetsi joining Paris FC on loan and Fer Lopez returning to Celta Vigo on loan.

Midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes and winger Jhon Arias also have interest before Monday's 19:00 GMT deadline.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I covered a game at Swansea at the very start of the 2013-14 season. Manchester United won 4-1 but the abiding memory was of the peerless centre-back Rio Ferdinand suddenly looking much slower and older.

‌It was startling change over a short summer. Within half an hour the recent world class defender was being openly targeted as the weak link.

He wasn't awful, but clearly wasn't the 'Rolls Royce' that had previously cruised through games. Manager Alex Ferguson shockingly said afterwards that Rio had "lost a yard of pace". For a defender this is the beginning of the end, no matter how good or respected they are.

‌Rio was 34 years and nine months, Virgil Van Dijk is just two months short of that and sadly the miles on the clock are showing just a little more every week.

‌The first giveaway was when he started to 'go square' trying to tackle quick forwards, when previously he would have trusted his pace before and shown them wide.

Little judgement errors like Saturday's mis-control that led to the opening goal have crept in too.

‌One of the finest central defenders the Premier League has seen isn't finished yet and he is still the best centre-back at the club and currently capable of doing the job.

‌However Liverpool must scour the planet now for his replacement; the danger is that his abilities decline rapidly, just as Rio's did over the space of a couple of months.

‌He might not fall off the edge of that fitness cliff just yet - Thiago Silva lasted until just shy of his 40th birthday, but he was an outrageous outlier. But if the decline becomes more rapid with Van Dijk, Liverpool will be in severe trouble.

They must get at least one centre-back in this transfer window to safeguard their entire season.

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Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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I find it really hard to criticise Virgil van Dijk. I think he's the best Premier League defender ever. He's been enormously instrumental in Liverpool winning every competition of note at least once during his stint.

But I'm finding some of his mistakes hard to take this season. Not because he isn't allowed to make any, but because of the sloppiness with which he makes them.

He's not making them because he's bad, or got any worse at football. He's just too relaxed. Van Dijk plays like football is too easy for him - but that style, that nonchalant attitude, is costing us.

Van Dijk is more than capable of clearing the ball that led to Bournemouth's opener on Saturday. Of course he is. It's just a lack of concentration. When you're struggling as much as Liverpool are this term, it's entirely unhelpful.

He then played the attacker onside for Bournemouth's second and was at the scene of the crime for the third. It was a really poor performance.

Van Dijk is 34 years old. Mohamed Salah is 33. The truth is, the two players who've been Liverpool's best in the past trophy-laden decade are old.

Last season, it didn't matter. They were the best defender and best attacker in the country. In 2025-26, though, they've been way, way off it.

Are there many examples of players approaching their mid-30s re-emerging as elite stars following a slump? There sadly isn't.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Juventus are interested in Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa and Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for you to describe your swing in emotions as a Liverpool fan from last season to this campaign.

Here are some of your comments:

Denzil: It's like living in limbo, just waiting for the season to pass, and hopefully something new the next time around. Hope Aston Villa get the league, as it would be less heartbreaking than seeing either of Arsenal or Manchester City do it.

Stuart: We won last season with what was left of the KLOPP philosophy. This year we are slow, boring and predictable. That has to be coaching and sorry that isn't good enough for Liverpool.

Steve: The loss of Trent is a major factor in Mo Salah drop off in form. Mo is just not getting the service he had from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Virgil van Dijk has no confidence in Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate has had a nightmare. Thank goodness for Hugo Ekitike!!

Dawn: The most entertaining part of our last home game was the two lads next to me shouting instructions and obscenities at our players. Anfield was totally flat. Can't remember ever it being so quiet. For me, Slot doesn't have a solution. The substitutions seem desperate rather than calculated. Couple of years back we had VVD out for almost an entire season and we were better than we are now. I'm fed up of watching the mighty Red Men playing like this. Managers make a difference. Look at Carrick now at Manchester United. I feel as though Slot has lost the dressing room.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Lewis Koumas has returned to Liverpool after being recalled from his season-long loan spell with Championship club Birmingham City.

The 20-year-old played 25 times for Blues, including seven league starts, and scored one goal, in the 3-2 win against leaders Coventry City.

After signing a new contract with Liverpool, Koumas spent last season on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, scoring three times in 43 league appearances.

The Wales international has made one senior appearance for the Reds when he netted in an FA Cup tie against Southampton in the 2023-24 season.

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Match week 23 last season saw Liverpool dispatch Ipswich Town 4-1 at Anfield for their 17th Premier League win of the season.

A year later, and Liverpool remain stuck on 10 victories since the turn of the new year, after Arne Slot watched his side lose 3-2 to 13th placed Bournemouth on Saturday.

With only four personnel changes to the team that saw off Ipswich from the side who couldn't find the edge against the Cherries, where have 2024-25 Liverpool gone?

Liverpool have been criticised all season for their lack of cutting edge in front of goal and 'soft' defending at the other end.

At this point in the league last year, Liverpool had hit the target with 152 shots, averaging 6.6 shots a game. They had conceded 74 shots on target, at 3.2 per game.

This term, they have taken 99 shots on target and faced a shocking 97 - 4.3 and 4.2 per match respectively.

Slot has still not found away to solve the effects of Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, at either end of the pitch, but that is not his only issue.

Mohamed Salah's dramatic drop in form, subsequent benching and absence through the Africa Cup of Nations, is playing a big part in Liverpool's goalscoring woes after the Egyptian created nearly half of Liverpool's goal tally last season (29 goals, 18 assists).

In the back-line, the individual performances of captain Virgil van Dijk and main centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate alongside the adjusting Milos Kerkez and ever-changing right-back position, all lend a hand in explaining the defensive struggles.

But whether Liverpool's unexpected 2025-26 campaign is down to these players simply not performing, or if Arne Slot is just unable to get the best out of both his new and aging players is left to see.

Can you describe your swing in emotions as a fan from last season to this?

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Nigel: The Cherries had to dig deep for that win. They seem to find something extra when the chips are down - injuries and player departures working against them. The fact that Andoni Iraola chose to bring on a striker in the last few minutes, when most managers would try and protect the draw, sums up the ethos of this team.

Malcolm: This result has been coming. Recent performances have been solid and decided by fine margins. We don't complain about injuries, we just get on with the job with what we have. A brilliant team performance to a man. Happy days!

Mark: Absolutely superb siege mentally and some outstanding performers bearing in mind we have eight first team players out injured. Never say die attitude and the passion to play for the team and manager stands out.

Clive: A brilliant performance by an under strength team that never give up. Players like James Hill and Alex Jimenez have shone when called in and Smudge played a good 90 minutes.

Charl: Super performance from the whole team. Marcos Senesi was outstanding, alongside Adrien Truffert and Lewis Cook. We still wasted too many chances, and our corners need a total rethink, but we played without fear. Excellent so more of that please.

Liverpool fans

Tim: We are a bang average side, which even the most loyal fan must admit. Even the mighty Virgil van Dijk is showing his weaknesses. Without Hugo Ekitike up front we look toothless. He looks some player, though. Credit to Bournemouth for going for the win. After all that money we spent it is a case of going backwards to go forwards, but we need Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk replacements.

Simon: Same old, same old. Lots of possession but little end product. I don't understand why Salah never gets substituted when he's doing nothing? I can't see us finishing top four unless there's a massive improvement.

Anthony: Liverpool looked leggy and predictable. Slow in build-up and no willing runners into the box. Just a poor all round performance. Talk of tired players from a manager that consistently plays the same players is ironic. The board now either backs the manager to save the season in the cups, or pulls the trigger and replaces him (which I don't think should happen).

Mo: Poor defending again and little penetration from the forwards. Where has Salah's eye for goal gone? First half, he is in an ideal position to score by racing towards goal but he passes into the crowd of defenders. Afterwards, it's just excuses from Slot and Virgil. Playing like this we will be lucky to qualify for Champions League.

Darren: It's been the same story all season. Look at the stats - every game the other team covers more ground and works harder! And they are conceding soft goal after soft goal. If nothing is changing then Slot is responsible for that and needs to go now!

Former England captain Wayne Rooney was critical of Liverpool's defensive standards following their 3-2 loss away at Bournemouth, describing the goals conceded as avoidable and pointing to a lack of organisation and urgency across the back line.

Speaking on the BBC's The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United forward also suggested there could be scrutiny on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot if the club fail to secure Champions League qualification, arguing that their recent unbeaten run masked underlying issues in performance levels.

Liverpool were on a 13-game unbeaten run before losing to the Cherries on Saturday, but that run included draws against the likes of Leeds and Burnley at home.

"I just think the goals Liverpool conceded were terrible," Rooney said.

"I think Virgil [Van Dijk] should have cleared it, then he doesn't stop the ball getting cut back. Then the full-backs are all over the place when it does get cut back.

"And then the last goal defending the set piece, and no one put their body on the line. I think the goals they concede are very bad goals from Liverpool's point of view.

"That's 13 games unbeaten they were, but it wasn't a great run, there was a lot of draws in there. So yes, I think there will be questions at the end of the season on Arne Slot if they don't make Champions League, and Liverpool will certainly sit down and look at them.

"I think what I said early on in the season, the top players are not performing as well as they can do. And that's [Mohamed] Salah, that's [Virgil] Van Dijk. [Alexis] Mac Allister hasn't been anywhere as good as he was last season. [Ryan] Gravenberch hasn't been as good as he was last season."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds